Former President Donald Trump’s sentencing in his New York criminal case has been postponed until after the 2024 election. Judge Juan Merchan made the decision to avoid any potential influence on the presidential race. Trump was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to an adult film star, but he has yet to be sentenced. Merchan stated that the delay is intended to prevent any appearance of bias or interference with the election.
The sentencing, if necessary, will now take place on November 26. Merchan will also rule on Trump’s request to vacate the conviction, citing the Supreme Court’s recent decision on presidential immunity, on November 12, after the election. Trump’s legal team has also tried to move the case to federal court, but those efforts have so far been denied.
By delaying the sentencing, the court ensures that Trump’s legal case will not overshadow the final stages of the election campaign. The possible outcomes range from a prison sentence of up to four years to less severe penalties like probation or a fine. Judge Merchan emphasized the importance of respecting the jury’s verdict while also safeguarding Trump’s constitutional rights.
